Group: Utilities need to boost energy efficiency

Tuesday

May 29, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 29, 2007 at 12:04 AM

Members of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance asked lawmakers Tuesday to vote on legislation that would require utility companies to meet a percentage of their energy needs through energy efficiency programs.

LAURA CAMPER

Members of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance asked lawmakers Tuesday to vote on legislation that would require utility companies to meet a percentage of their energy needs through energy efficiency programs.

“Energy efficiency is a resource, just like coal or wind power is a resource, and that is actually the cheapest way for a utility to meet its customers needs,” said Rebecca Stanfield, state director of Environment Illinois.

Every dollar spent on energy efficiency results in $3 savings for the consumer, she said. Illinois has the fifth highest per capita energy consumption rate in the United States, a rate that has grown by 2 percent a year for the last 15 years, said Alecia Ward, president of Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

“By investing aggressively in energy efficiency, Illinois can create jobs, generate new economic development, reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets and reduce energy bills for Illinois families and businesses,” Ward said. “It is literally cheaper to save a unit of energy than it is to build it, buy it, transmit it, find it on the wholesale market or deliver it to the place it is needed.”

Stanfield said SB 1184 would benefit the consumer by encouraging utility companies to help customers save energy in their homes and businesses.

“I’m a homeowner. I know that I can go to Home Depot and buy a bunch of stuff that will help me save energy,” Stanfield said. “This makes the utilities help us by considering (the energy savings) an actual resource.”

Ameren spokesman Leigh Morris said the utility company supports the legislation.